Anniston council member wants to make it illegal to feed strays; more Alabama news

View full sizeAnniston, Alabama, council member Ben Little wants the city to consider an ordinance that would make it against the law to feed stray animals in the city.

ANNISTON, Alabama -- A poor, emaciated little pooch ambles up to your door. Your not a pet owner, so you head to your fridge, find a hot dog and give it to the thankful, wagging, wandering mutt.

If one Anniston City Council member had his way, that act would be against the law within that city's corporate limits.

The Anniston Star reports that Ben Little is asking next week's City Council session to consider an ordinance that would prohibit the feeding of stray animals. His reasoning? What might seem like a well-meaning act could turn dangerous.

Little told the Anniston Star that residents are concerned about their safety and the safety of their children because of stray animals running around and feeding the animals will only make the problem worse.

In other news across Alabama:

Escambia animal shelters get 3-month reprieve: A proposal presented by Humane Society of Escambia County officials has given the group a 3-month reprieve on the closing of the county’s animal shelters in Brewton and Atmore, the Brewton Standard reports. Citing budget issues, the humane society had decided last month to cease operation of those shelters.

Dora passes alcohol referendum: In a special referendum on Tuesday, Dora residents approved alcohol sales within city limits by a vote of 323, or 56 percent,
to 254, or 44 percent, the Daily Mountain Eagle reports. Dora Mayor Chris Edwards said he was very pleased with voter turnout.

Riverfest kicks off Friday in Gadsden: Ticket sales appear to be going well for the 26th annual RiverFest, a 2-day music festival that kicks off Friday along the banks of the Coosa River, the Gadsden Times reports. The festival hit a setback recently when Friday's headliner, Flo Rida, canceled. The band Sugar Ray will fill its spot.

2 truckloads of donations arrive in Tuscaloosa from New Jersey: The Morristown Relief Effort of Morristown, New Jersey, collected supplies to fill 2 38-foot tractor-trailers, which arrived at the Phifer warehouse in Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, the Tuscaloosa News reports. Fran Reilly, campaign director for the United Way of West Alabama, told the Tuscaloosa News that the donations bring a welcome replenishment of supplies.

No guarantees for Partlow workers: The Department of Mental Health is trying to place as many Partlow Developmental Center employees as possible in public or private jobs, but all cannot be guaranteed positions, according to internal memos cited in a Tuscaloosa News report.